Teaching notes
How to use this resource
This resource, Colour by numbers, is designed to support the Digital Education Revolution – NSW (DER-NSW) program. The resources and tasks are aimed at supporting student use of the DER-NSW laptops in both online and offline classroom environments.
If you have difficulty viewing this resource on the DER-NSW laptop screens you can switch your web browser to full screen mode. With your web browser open press F11 to switch between normal and full screen mode.
For more detailed support on how to use the DER-NSW laptop software referred to in this resource please visit the TaLe Tools+ site. If you have a Department of Education and Training portal identity go to www.tale.edu.au > log in to the Secondary section > Tools+ is a link in the top right of the page. If not, visit the Parents & community section of TaLe and choose the quick link to DER-NSW laptop resources on the right side of the page.
In this Laptop wrap students are guided through the process of converting decimal numbers to binary numbers, and then on to hexadecimal. Students are provided with opportunities to practice conversion within the context of developing a conversion calculator in Microsoft Excel. The relationship between hexadecimal numbers and colour is demonstrated by guiding students in the alteration of text colour by means of the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) attached to this resource.
Explore
The linked Binary numbers SMART notebook resource is designed for use on an interactive whiteboard (IWB). The resource will also function well on a computer with SMART notebook software installed, for example the DER laptop computers, where it can be used with a data projector for a class group or by individual students.
This resource demonstrates conversion between decimal and binary numbers and provides opportunities for students to practice.
The attached teachers notes document provides detailed instructions and it is recommended that this is read by the teacher before class.
Your tasks
In the first task students are referred to the Binary numbers SMART notebook resource so they are familiar with the process of converting decimal to binary. This understanding is used to add formulas to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet in order to produce a conversion calculator. Detailed instructions are provided in linked .pdf documents and for teacher reference a completed version (.xls 27 kB) is provided. If students are experiencing difficulty switching between windows they may find it easier to print these instruction documents and refer to a hard copy.
In the second task more formulas are added to the spreadsheet to allow conversion of a binary number into hexadecimal. A linked .pdf document of instructions and a completed version (.xls 27 kB) are again provided.
The third task introduces students to the concept of using hexadecimal code to represent colours. Students will first use Fireworks to identify the hexadecimal codes for different colours. The students are then instructed to download and open the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) attached to this product, and then alter the colour of the text using hexadecimal code. Instructions are provided in .pdf documents.
Task alternative: If you are using a computer that permits use of executable files (not available on DER laptops) an alternative to Fireworks is to use the Colour contrast analyser tool that can be downloaded free from the Vision Australia website. Instructions for using the Colour contrast analyser and an activity using the analyser are attached here (.pdf 82kB). This activity would be suitable for a whole class activity on an IWB or data projector where students analyse the colour contrast on the school website. This may lead to a class discussion about colour contrast and the importance of accessibility in web design.
Quality teaching framework
This resource aims to incorporate elements of the quality teaching framework.
· Deep knowledge and deep understanding are fostered.
· Specialist metalanguage is unpacked for use by students.
· This resource endeavours to provide an environment that encourages student engagement.
· The self paced nature in this type of resource allows students some level of self-regulation and direction.
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© NSW DET 2010